TBC: Cold Intros vs. Warm Intros

Introductions hold incredible power in the world of fundraising.

Pulling a good network together and getting to know new people takes effort and time. But you know what? It’s a hundred percent worth it.

You’ll find out why in this episode, where Jason breaks down the importance of introductions - both cold and warm, and how it basically forms the backbone of early-stage fundraising.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Rejections. Passes. Declined proposals.

These things are inevitable in any fundraising story – so as early as possible, it’s best to prepare yourself for what’s to come.

Because no matter how hard you prepare and how much effort you exert, there will still be people looking at you with doubt and criticism.

In this episode, Jason tells the story of one of the most famous ‘pass’ stories ever, and how it affected the founder’s game plan in continuing forward with his journey.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Everybody has their own timeline. Some succeed early on their journey, while others go on for so long that they feel that success is too far away.

But the thing in entrepreneurship is - you never know what to expect. Things might go your way at a very, very unexpected time.

In this episode, Jason shares one of the craziest, fastest fundraising rounds that happened right before his eyes - getting a signed term sheet within just 8 days.In this episode, Jason tells the story of one of the most famous ‘pass’ stories ever, and how it affected the founder’s game plan in continuing forward with his journey.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Mastering your company’s narrative is one of the most vital things that you should have when starting any business. It’s what sets you apart from all the other competitors that are trying to solve the same problem as you do.

In the world of entrepreneurship, having strategies about what and how you tell your story is necessary so you can be sure that you will really reach your target audience in the best way possible.

In this episode, Jason talks about exactly that - what are these strategies, why do you need them, and how you are going to create them yourself.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

With all the social media platforms at our fingertips, everyone can stay updated about any and everything.

People consume content on social media on a daily basis - and as we know, individuals nowadays are heavily influenced by what they see online.

And as founders/fundraisers, you should definitely take advantage of this.

In this episode, Jason talks about why you should post and share your wins on social media, how it benefits you, and how even small actions can create a huge impact in your fundraising journey.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Ever heard of a good drug?

And no, what I’m talking about is probably not what you’re thinking… it’s the fear of missing out.

In the eyes of founders and fundraisers, FOMO is a feeling you want potential investors to sense deeply.

Curious? Tune in to this episode and hear more about the benefits of using FOMO as a strategy in getting them on board with your company.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

No matter how much you prepare for something, there always comes a time when you stumble and fall.

Truly, mistakes are inevitable in any circumstance in our lives, but that doesn't mean we can avoid some of them through learning from other people’s experiences, right?

In this episode, Jason goes into detail about one of the biggest mistakes that founders make in the process of searching for investors, and how you can avoid them.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Red flags are warnings that there’s possible danger ahead - so when you see one, it’s best to turn around and change your direction.

In fundraising, there are many red flags that investors look out for. We’ve already mentioned one of them in our past episodes: a company that is a solution looking for a problem.

In this episode, Jason elaborates on a specific red flag he commonly sees in startups, and how you can avoid falling into that trap.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

When should you start taking meetings with investors?

If you think you should wait until you’ve already started raising money to reach out, then you’ve got it quite wrong.

Ever heard of warm-up meetings? If not, then you’re in for a treat!

In this episode, Jason talks about the importance of getting introduced and talking to investors way before the start of your fundraising journey - and how your approach should look like.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Adjusting to whichever investor you’re talking to is necessary to get the most out of any conversation. Understanding where they are coming from will help you know exactly what approach to use.

In the fundraising world, we all know that every single person is unique - people all have different mindsets, motivations, and end goals, all of which affect their decision-making process.

In this episode, Jason expands on the connection between selling and fundraising. Knowing what type of investor you’re talking to—and tailoring your approach accordingly—can help you succeed in your fundraising journey.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Selling. Fundraising. Selling. Fundraising.

Are they related? What’s the connection? Is the knowledge of one a requirement for the other?

In today’s episode, Jason expounds on these two concepts, and how their dynamics work together in the world of fundraising. Look out for some helpful tips that you can apply to your own fundraising process.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

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Have you ever wondered how essential it is to put in a lot of energy and effort into a process?

We sometimes focus so much on our end goal that we tend to forget that the preparation required is equally as important, and sometimes even the highlight of the entire ride.

In this episode, let’s take a quick look at how important it is to focus on the entire process itself of fundraising, which, when done well, can be transformational for you as an entrepreneur.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

When you’re at the point of scheduling meetings with investors, that’s when you’re most likely to feel overwhelmed.

Should you categorize your investors? Who should you talk to first? What if you mess up? How do you know you are doing the right thing?

All these questions swamp your mind and all of a sudden, you now have tons of meetings to prepare for.

But worry not! In this episode, Jason lays out a critical tip that every fundraiser should know by heart, especially new ones, when it comes to investor meetings.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

There’s always a gray area when it comes to setting the valuation for a business during the fundraising process.

The big question is always… WHO?

Is it the fundraiser, the investor, or is it agreed between the two? What’s the basis? How is it determined?

In this episode, Jason shares his take on who should set the valuations and explains why he thinks that way.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Mastering language has got to be one of the most important psychological tools anyone can utilize and benefit from - including and especially for fundraisers.

Speaking and understanding the same language of people you work with can work wonders when it comes to making connections and raising funds.

In this episode, Jason talks about the critical importance of learning your investors’ language and how vital it is for your process, especially if you want to win at the game of fundraising.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

One of the most vital processes before facing investors is building the perfect pitch deck.

There is a tough balance to find with decks.  You don’t want to be too short and  lack the information an investor needs to get excited. You also don’t want to be too long and overwhelm the reader with data.  

In this episode, Jason talks about pitch decks - particularly, his favorite part of it, appendices - and why it’s an important part of your pitch deck.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter

Are you a problem looking for a solution, or a solution looking for a problem?

Pondering this is vital for entrepreneurs, especially for first timers who are just establishing the core of their business. While it’s easy to get lost in the world of entrepreneurship, it’s also worth it to spend time thinking about the real “why” of whatever you’re working on.

In this episode, Jason talks about the difference between these two - a science project and a business.

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If you're looking for more fundraising content, grab my weekly newsletter packed full of strategies and insights around how to raise money: fundedpod.com/newsletter